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Miami finding ways to win close games

Miami finding ways to win close games

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By Joe Frisaro
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MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- Close games are starting to go the Marlins' way.

Donovan Solano's pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth inning on Thursday lifted the Marlins to a 4-3 comeback win over the Braves at Turner Field. A sign the team is maturing is its ability to pull out close games. Since May 31, the Marlins are 19-11. In that stretch, they are 6-2 in one-run games.

Early in the year, the Marlins were finding ways to lose when they went 14-41 in April and May.

Now, they are making up ground in their overall record in one-run games. For the year, they are 13-15.

The Marlins are getting contributions up and down the roster. On Thursday, it was Solano who came off the bench to deliver the big hit.

Not to be overlooked, reliever A.J. Ramos logged two shutout innings, striking out four, in Thursday's win. Giancarlo Stanton, who struggled at the plate on Thursday, going 0-for-5, made a run-saving catch to rob Dan Uggla in the ninth inning.

"I think that's kind of what happens when you start playing better and you get that good feeling and that confidence," manager Mike Redmond said. "Everybody wants to contribute. Everybody wants to get up with the game on the line."

The Marlins also are showing the ability to come back. They rallied to wins twice in Atlanta and have 17 comeback victories on the season.

"Maybe in the first couple of months, we weren't getting those hits," Redmond said. "But we knew they would come. It's fun to see guys contribute and be excited."